via D-day looms for MDC-T ahead of crucial meetings | SW Radio Africa by Tichaona Sibanda on Wednesday, April 9, 2014
The MDC-T will on Thursday deal with the indiscipline that had crept into the party once and for all, the party spokesman said on Wednesday.
Douglas Mwonzora told SW Radio Africa that two crucial meetings of the National Executive Council and National Council set for Thursday will be decisive in dealing with the internal strife.
The standing committee of the MDC-T met on Wednesday, amid reports that several top leaders registered their displeasure at the way the movement is treating individuals who are destroying the party with ‘kid gloves.’
Mwonzora declined to reveal the agenda of Thursday’s meetings, but a well placed-source within the party said heads will certainly roll as the leadership is under pressure from grassroots structures to do something about the rebels.
‘Our only tools for survival in the last 15 years have been discipline and unity. As a party, we would rather have disciplined and dedicated cadres than a handful who are not sure where they stand,’ an MP loyal to party leader Morgan Tsvangirai said.
The fight between Tsvangirai, his loyalists and the renewal team, led by Elton Mangoma and his lawyer Jacob Mafume, is already giving party members cause for concern.
Party members said it is their belief that if nothing is done by the leadership to urgently resolve the lingering political tussle between the two camps, the crisis might spell doom for the movement in the next election.
All has not been well in the MDC-T since January, when Mangoma wrote a letter to Tsvangirai asking him to step down and blaming him for the electoral loss to ZANU PF.
In his four page letter Mangoma wrote that there was no denying that Morgan Tsvangirai had embossed his name into the history books, or that he has played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s quest for democracy and socio-economic transformation. But he said: ‘However, it is my humble submission that at this juncture it is time you consider leaving the office of the president of the movement.’
‘2014 marks 15 years of Morgan Tsvangirai as president of the party. You have done the best that you could and continuing will result in diminishing returns and eating into your legacy. The party is in dire need for new ideas, new thinking, a new trajectory and new stimulus,’ said Mangoma.
The contents of the letter triggered an upheaval in the party, which led to the suspended deputy treasurer-general and other senior leaders like Tendai Biti being manhandled by some party youths.
COMMENTS
Nothing wrong with what Mangoma said. The party indeed needs a new vision in it’s dealing, and Tsvangirai will continue being the progress killer. MDC needs to face the truth that Tsvangirai and Mugabe are no longer relevant to 2014 Zimbabwe politics.I know that some people have made Tsvangirai a god but for Christ sake,this man is a total failure.Renewal ndizvo.
Mangoma made his bed of thorns and it is time for him to lie on it. There should be no going back on devious characters like him. Mangoma and professor Dzinotyiweyi formed ZIP in 1999 and failed to make it work. Mangoma was the deputy president of ZIP and contested the 2000 elections, did not get even a local council seat. Today he wants to tell the world that he can do any better. He now knows it all. What a joke!
Let him form his own party and lets see what he comes up with.
So, Mandy, when a senior member of an organization writes to his boss expressing his views you believe it is equivalent to making a bed of thorns for themselves?
I suppose you are also of the barbaric view that violence was necessary to keep dissenters in line.
Thembani dont lie to the people. You can never never compare Tsvangirayi with Mugabe. Tsvangirayi is a leader of a movement not a regime in power. Secondly Tsvangirayi won the 2008 elections and Mugabe refused to leave the office. Mugabe is the leader of a corrupt regime who uses the military to stop the opposition from occupying the high office of the land
Nesbert, Tsvangirai is very much like Mugabe in the sense that he is now using violence as a weapon to stay in power. He is also creating a personality cult where his loyalists fall over each other to sing his praises with some saying he is equivalent to the biblical Moses while others claim he was anointed by God and therefore should not be challenged.
We have also started to see corruption. He has not explained what happened to the money drawn from two different sources for the construction of the Highlands mansion he now resides in. When government said he should vacate it or pay $4 million, he said he would buy it. Just like Mugabe, he has not disclosed his source of income.
By the way, it’s been 15 years.if anyone heads an organization for that long and maintains he is the only one capable that’s a sure sign of failure.
Ok renewal ndizvo, wopinda ndiani? Biti is corrupt and his Gono alliance.Musangoti renewal renewal.Renew yourselves vana Mafume motiudza kuti why did you lose safe seats in Harare if you say Nikuv was not at hand.People will not listen to gabbage from little unknown people who badly oversestimate their non-existing support.If Biti leads MDC, a lot of Zimbabweans will rather vote for Mai Mujuru, even staunch MDC supporters.Those who love real change simply dismiss this so called renewl team, a team of pre-school kids learning to cook sadza albeit using soil.Zimbabweans are not stupid.They know what they want.No amount of press conferences will sway people”s minds.They have voted and 3 times they rubber stamped whom they want.Go on and you will be finished at the congree
Actually, if the majority of MDC-T suppoerters, activists and office bearers wish that psrty to continue on its current trajectory and under the leadership of Tsvangirai, their will should be respected. It is not illegal to drive down a cul de sac.
Those of us now disillusioned can simply accept and walk away. It was not meant to be. Perhaps the dark cloud of July 2013 has a faint silver lining.
I heard a name called Promise Mkwanazi ,amongst the number calling for Tsvangirayi’s head. I am skeptical of any former student leader post 2002, that did actually completed his studies. Being a student in that period,nyoka ndinodziziva. Mangoma had a point,but something are best done in a congress.
The MDC will forever rue this opportunity to renew if they fail now.
Tsvar is a spent force and compromised. Like ZANU the MDC will be a party of slogans and going nowhere.
Renew and reform now or you are doomed.
Morgan could have been president in 2008 but Mugabe denied him that chance. If the grassroots still believe in Tsvangirayi so what is the problem. Mangoma and his team are stabbing Tsvangirayi on the back. Mangoma was part of the negotiating team for MDC T during the GNU tenure so if he was so smart why did he let the party participating in an election he knew was doomed. He is just a clueless power hungry individual and very politically myopic
When will it sink in that Tsvangirai has been working with Mugabe all along. Sure, he was beaten up but this could have been miscalculated excessive force or rouge elements within ZanuPF.
Why would he pull out of a re-run on the day BEFORE the election when he had everything on his side? Why would he go into the previous election when everything was stacked against the MDC?
Wake up guys and smell the coffie. Mugabe and his sidekick Tsvangirai have duped you for a very long time. He has always been ZanuPF and his father is Mugabe.
The quicker they fire Mangoma and Biti the better for MDC. Attention seeking idiots.
Mangoma,Biti,Mafume,Mkwananzi must just leave the party. Biti is big-headed and thinks he is bigger than the party and therefore indespensable. Kufa kwemujoni kamba haivharwi. These guys must form their own and see if it will see the light of day. Tsvangirai is not a boardroom man but is for the downtrodden from Binga to Chikwarakwara. He is to the general population the face of the struggle and no one in the MDC at the moment has the clout he has. Those who want to go must go now.
Chitowa, if indeed you honestly believe that no one in the party except Tsvangirai is capable of leading the party then you are confirming he is no different from Mugabe because that’s exactly what Zanu p.f. says about it’s leader.
An organization which can only survive under the leadership of a single person is testimony to the fact that it’s leader is a failure. You also seem to be suggesting that if Tsvangirai were to die today that would be the end of his party.
Fifteen years later you keep saying one person is the face of the party? Why then do you condemn Mugabe?
Chitova ,the same sentiments are expressed for Mugabe.
Tsvangirai has failed to lead. His sense of judgement lives a lot to be desired.
Open up your eyes and read the signs please.
He has been leader for 15 years, 10 is more than sufficient. Renewal is always needed for progression. That’s why we have kids and by the time we are 65 they start looking after us and would have learnt from our mistakes. Continuous improvement is foreseen.
MDC is now copying ZANU. We are pushing this nation into the 30’s.
Renewal is needed now and a broader coalition if we want to get rid of ZANU.
Forget about this leadership ,we need to level the process set up a committee that then calls on all patriots from the civic society, Industry, the opposition parties, diasporas, and willing elements within ZANU.
From this we can now come up with credible and patriotic leadership not tainted with corruption and violence against the people.
Pasi he Mbavha
Down with the treasonous malcontents.
Ever wondered why Eric Matinenga left. It will be interesting to hear his views, truthfully.
Just a thought.
please morgan…. go. hand over to people who have true competency
if Morgan wants MDC to continue on the present trajectory, and wants to the head of it, MDC will continue on its trajectory …. famous protesting but no action, no results, no presidency, ineffective negotiating, complacency when posts are grabbed, hints of corruption at the top of the party… blah…blah…..blah. What would the author of black sunlight say? he would open fire on morgan with 7 barrels.GO MORGAN GO! GO MORGAN GO! GO MORGAN GO! [RETIRE PLEASE]
then who takes over.Imi renewal tean and its supporters are failing to respond.Maudzwa kuti losers in Urban constituencies are not allowed by povo in 2018. Mafume is not allowed anywhere near urban constituency.If he thinks he is big, he nust go and campaign in Masvingo Central, then we see his size.Ndimi makatidyisa.Kutadza to campaign pedzezvo renewal.How do you renew when you yourself is archaic in thinking.aT LEAST mORGAN MAKES ERRORS BUT STILL IN MDC.Not crooks like Biti who hold meetings na Gono then you say renewal.Ndiani akakuudzai kuti muri big?Good size is coming.Watch it
They are ALL part of a totally compromised political system. Politics and politicians are feeding from the carcass of a once thriving young nation. Let them all choke on it. Zimbabweans should quit supporting politics until the lesson is learned. That lesson is – Politicians are there to serve NOT TO EAT.
Eish! Zimbabwe politics. it is all so disappointing. no wonder God tells us not to put our trust in men!
Jeremiah 17
5 This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
AMEN
Wese varikuti Tsvangirai must go maZanupf afraid of contesting him in 2018 they want him gone b4 that so that they become equal Zanu with a new face and Mdc the same so us true Mdc supporters we say no aBig NO.say whatever you want Morgan will contest the 2018 Presidential Elections and Win
Its apparent that those shouting loudest for the so called renewal outside Congress only want change in the president of the party and not themselves as members of the executive. You failed as a team . The people are aware of the reasons for the electoral loss and are not going to wholly hold Tsvangirayi responsible for what Zanu and Nikuv did to this country. Is it not clear to these imbeciles that once your stated desires mirror those of Zanu which is mortally afraid of Tsvangirayi your career in politics is all but caput?
Kuisa mumwe leader anobhenga on elections kubvisa mugabe kupedza nguva. Munovachinjanisa mavachinjanisazve asi vachiwhinha mavhotsi sa tsvangirai asi vasingawhinhi maelections as long as maelections acho achiitwa under the present conditions dzekuti zec, army, police, public media, judiciary as well as mafunds zvese izvi zvino contirorwa nava mugabe.